Mystique Soul: A Cultivator's Flame
Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Feng Jiao Xue had just settled down, the weariness of the day pressing on her shoulders, when Huang Jin De’s calm but insistent voice echoed in her mind. "Jiao Xue you need to put on your disguise. Someone’s coming this way"

"What?" Feng Jiao Xue’s eyes immediately snapped open with a frown as she sprang to sit up on her bed.

"You have a guest. And not just any guest, it’s the crown prince." Huang Jin De informed her.

"You’ve gotta be kidding me. We both just returned to the capital. Why is he coming here directly?" She groaned softly, already dreading the implications. Quickly, she began her routine. Pulling out a simple, worn robe, she donned her carefully constructed disguise. Her complexion took on a pale, almost sickly pallor, her posture slumped slightly to radiate vulnerability, and she arranged her hair to look unkempt but not untidy enough to raise suspicion.

Yin Xiao, her ever-loyal friend who was finally out of the space ring could only look at her wronged as he was ushered into a hide back into the ring.

Before Feng Jiao Xue could finish adjusting her appearance, a sharp knock echoed through the room.

The door creaked open, and in stepped the servant, a young woman with a glimmer of cruel amusement in her eyes. Her gaze swept over Feng Jiao Xue, lingering a moment too long on her disheveled attire and frail, sickly appearance. "Young miss," she purred, her voice thick with false sweetness, "The crown prince has arrived. He’s waiting to see you."

Feng Jiao Xue’s lips parted in a soft, meek smile. "Thank you," she said, her voice almost a whisper.

Briefly, she wondered how her old servant ended up before she found herself not caring. Smoothering a feignt smirk of her lips as a dangerous glint flashed in her eyes, it’s not her problem anymore.

The servant took a step back, but her eyes never left Feng Jiao Xue. A flicker of disdain crossed her face before she spoke again, the words dripping with mockery. "You know," she murmured just loud enough to be heard, "if you put as much effort into yourself as you do in being a good for nothing to be this weak, maybe you wouldn’t be stuck in this miserable state. Pathetic."

Feng Jiao Xue’s heart clenched, her chest tightening with a storm of emotions for the half of her soul. It didn’t settle in before. To her, the assassin and the young miss version of her where two different entities but the time she had spent in this world was enough for her to properly settle and acknowledge the fact that they are one and the same. She wanted to lash out, to throw the cruel woman’s words back in her face, but she forced her expression to remain neutral. Anger wouldn’t help her now.

The servant’s lips curled into a sly smirk as she continued, lowering her voice to a sneer. "A little self-respect wouldn’t kill you. But no, you’d rather grovel and make yourself out to be some tragic, pitiful creature just to catch the crown prince’s sympathy, wouldn’t you? How low can you go?"

Feng Jiao Xue bit down on her tongue, swallowing the retort that burned at the back of her throat. She stood as still as stone, the servant’s words like daggers, but she couldn’t let them pierce through her carefully constructed façade. Not here, not now.

The servant lingered a moment longer, just to savor the discomfort she’d caused, before dismissing her with a cold, careless gesture. "Don’t keep him waiting."

Feng Jiao Xue was slightly shoved into a pavilion.

The pavilion sat in the heart of the courtyard, an elegant structure crafted from dark, polished wood that gleamed under the sunlight. Its four corner posts rose gracefully, supporting a gently sloping roof covered in intricately patterned tiles that shimmered with shades of gold and crimson. The eaves of the roof curled upward, giving it a delicate, almost ethereal quality. The open sides of the pavilion were framed by slender wooden latticework, with climbing ivy creeping up its supports, the green leaves offering a soft contrast to the warm tones of the structure.

Inside, the floor was smooth stone, cool beneath bare feet, and mats were laid out for seating, providing comfort while maintaining an air of understated elegance. Soft cushions dotted the floor, inviting those who entered to relax and converse in quiet comfort. The scent of blooming jasmine from nearby bushes lingered in the air, blending with the earthy aroma of freshly cut grass. The pavilion’s location was ideal, offering a perfect view of the lush garden surrounding it, with a tranquil pond reflecting the colors of the sky. The gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze and the distant sound of water trickling created a serene atmosphere, making the pavilion feel like a place where time slowed, and worries faded away.

As the servant left, Feng Jiao Xue finally allowed herself a breath. Her hands trembled as she adjusted her appearance once more, but this time, it was more than just a disguise, it was a defense. She was going to wear this mask for as long as it took. She could feel the sting of humiliation, but she shoved it aside, forcing all traces of anger, bitterness, or weakness from her face.

By the time Liang Feng arrived, she was ready. The slight tremble in her steps, the way she hugged herself for warmth, everything spoke of a mistreated young lady from a once-glorious clan. It was a role she had perfected over the years, and now, it was more important than ever.

The crown prince could never know that the fragile "little sister" he thought he was visiting was the same cultivator he had fought beside.

"Little snow!" A voice greeted warmly, a balm against the cold atmosphere of the room.

Turning around, Feng Jiao Xue smiled shyly. She is still after all an assassin, and every assassin has the training to not just kill but to blend and act accordingto their situation like a chameleon

"Your Highness," she murmured, her voice small and shy. She kept her eyes lowered, hands clasped demurely in front of her.

Liang Feng shed his previous guise, now standing before Feng Jiao Xue as the crown prince in all his glory. The elegant robe of royal silk clung to his form, its deep jade green and shimmering gold threading catching the light as he moved. Every inch of his attire was designed to reflect his status, his cuffs embroidered with delicate patterns of dragons in flight, and the hem of his robe sweeping elegantly, hinting at his regal grace. His hair, usually tied up in a humble knot, now cascaded in thick, dark waves, framing a face that seemed chiseled from marble. His jawline was sharp, with just a hint of stubble adding a rugged contrast to his otherwise flawless complexion.

The silver crown atop his head, though modest compared to what he would wear on official occasions, still held the weight of his station. It glinted subtly under the pavilion’s soft light, catching the eyes of those who looked too long. His eyes, dark and intense, shone with a mysterious depth, the sort of gaze that seemed to pierce right through you, as though he could see more than just what was in front of him. There was a quiet strength in his posture, one that spoke not just of physical prowess, but of a mind sharpened through years of responsibility and expectation.

Every step he took seemed purposeful, commanding the air around him with ease. The faintest hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his lips, a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, leaving behind a sense of reserved warmth. The charm that had once been hidden beneath a disguise now radiated outward with an almost magnetic pull. It was no longer the charm of a young master, unassuming and humble. It was the undeniable allure of a prince,one who was not only born to lead but seemed destined to be followed. His presence was like a storm on the horizon, something powerful, yet awe-inspiring, and impossible to ignore.

But beneath the poised regal air, there was something undeniably familial about him, an ease that came when he addressed her, something familiar in the way he let his guard down for a moment. The way he spoke, with an openness that softened the sharpness of his crown prince persona, hinted at a brotherly affection. His gaze, though intense, would occasionally soften, just for a second, as if to acknowledge the unspoken bond they shared. Though his station was set apart from hers, his approach to her wasn’t one of distance or condescension. There was an almost protective warmth in his voice whenever he spoke her name, a tenderness that belied the weight of his title. It wasn’t as though he saw her as merely a subject or a member of the court, but as someone precious, like a younger sister he had grown up beside, or a family member who carried her own importance in his life.

He carried the responsibility of the throne with grace, but there was no mistaking the brother who had shared more than just royal duties with her. His smile, though controlled, held an unspoken reassurance, as though he knew her burdens and yet could still offer her comfort in small, brotherly gestures. That was the charm that his disguise had never truly concealed: the deep, unspoken bond that made him not just the crown prince but also the figure the ’Feng Jiao Xue’ that had grown up in this world could trust. Though his far too busy with his duty as a prince to check on her and trusted her clan far too much to think anything was amiss so he never watched on with the abuse.

Liang Feng chuckled and pulled her for a warm hug. Feng Jiao Xue had to force herself to relax in his hold, before he fluffed up a pillow on the chair gesturing for her to sit. "Come now, must you always be so formal? We’re family, aren’t we?"

Indeed, the Feng Jiao Xue from this world grew up with Liang Feng who had always seen her as a younger sister which made the Feng’s from the main branch even more warry of her and despised her more.

Feng Jiao Xue hesitated but complied, sitting at the edge of the chair, her posture carefully restrained. "Brother Feng" she called out sweetly. It felt strange how easily and right that term slipped her lips.

In front of the prince, she was treated as a jewel but behind closed door, she was treated as nothing more than a bothersome trash that they cannot get rid of.

But, nevertheless, Liang Feng was to the Feng Jiao Xue of this world the "Lou Xi" of Feng Jiao Xue that was an assassin.

"I wanted to check on you after returning to the capital," Liang Feng began, his tone light and conversational. "The journey was... eventful."

"Eventful?" Feng Jiao Xue echoed softly, tilting her head as if curious but not entirely sure she wanted to know the details.

Liang Feng leaned back, a nostalgic smile tugging at his lips. "Oh, you wouldn’t believe some of the things that happened. We had to pass through this very thick fog that makes your... imagination, come to life to get you to stay. There where also fluffy adorable wolves. We encountered this immense scarlet scorpions with claws that could crush boulders." He gestured animatedly as he recounted everything "The wall was sprakly and beautiful and then we emerged in this beautiful white wonderland, our feet felt like walking on the softes mattress"his eyes sparkling with excitement. "But we handled it. Together, we made quite the team. It was almost... fun."

Feng Jiao Xue’s lips twitched, caught between amusement and exasperation. She vividly remembered those battles, the tension, the blood, the near-death moments. But hearing Liang Feng make it seem so wonderful, it so casually made her chest tighten. It wasn’t the danger he was emphasizing, it was the camaraderie and a beautiful journey.

"That must have been terrifying," she replied, her tone laced with just the right amount of awe and concern.

Liang Feng laughed, shaking his head. "It wasn’t so bad. Besides, we had someone extraordinary with us. But the most amazing was a cultivator named Jiao Xue."

Her heart skipped a beat. She forced herself to keep her expression neutral, though she felt Huang Jin De’s bemused presence in her mind.

"Jiao Xue?" she repeated, her voice quiet.

"Yes, haha it is almost like your name, right?!" Liang Feng said, his smile growing softer. "She was remarkable, strong, composed, and resourceful. But she is really quiet. Honestly, if it weren’t for her, things might have gone very differently. She wasn’t the strongest or the most powerful but she was.... the most remarkable in my opinion. When I saw her," his eyes softened ruffling her head. "I saw you"

Feng Jiao Xue shifted slightly, her hands tightening in her lap. "She must be... quite skilled."

"She is," Liang Feng agreed, a note of admiration in his voice. "But there’s more to her than just strength. She carries herself with such grace, and there’s this... air about her. Like she’s seen far more than she lets on."

The words struck a chord in Feng Jiao Xue, and she fought to keep her emotions in check.

"You seem to think highly of her," she ventured cautiously.

Liang Feng chuckled. "I do. But you know, she really reminded me of someone."

Feng Jiao Xue’s breath caught, but she quickly masked it. "Oh?"

"You," Liang Feng said simply, his gaze steady. "As I’ve said, there was just this ... feeling. There’s something about her that feels... familiar. I can’t quite place it."

Her heart raced, and she ducked her head to hide the flicker of panic in her eyes. "I don’t think I could compare to someone like her, Big Brother."

"Nonsense," he said, his tone gentle but firm. "You might not see it, but you have a strength of your own. It’s in the way you carry yourself, even now."

The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard, and for a moment, she faltered. But then she forced herself to smile, her expression shy and uncertain. "There’s no need to lie on my behalf..."

Liang Feng regarded her for a moment longer before nodding. "No. I meant what I said." He looks at her so soft and tender that Feng Jiao Xue couldn’t raise her head to meet his gaze.

The conversation drifted to lighter topics after that, Liang Feng recounting humorous anecdotes from their journey, carefully avoiding the grimmer details. Feng Jiao Xue listened, her responses measured and polite, though her mind churned with thoughts.

By the time Liang Feng rose to leave, the tension in the room had eased, replaced by a warmth that lingered even as the door closed behind him.

"Well done," Huang Jin De remarked, his voice tinged with approval. "You handled that well."

Feng Jiao Xue sighed, leaning back in her chair. "That was... exhausting."

"But necessary," he reminded her.

She nodded, her gaze drifting toward the door. Liang Feng’s words echoed in her mind, stirring a strange mixture of guilt and gratitude. For now, her secret was safe. But how long could she keep up the charade?

And there was this part of her that felt guilty. Despite accepting the fact that she is the ’Feng Jiao Xue’ that grew up in this world, there is this lingering guilt she felt towards Liang Feng. She had lost a brother while he, in a way, had lost a sister...

Feng Jiao Xue looked at where Liang Feng had sat her conflicted gaze turning into resolution. ’She is Feng Jiao Xue.’

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.